Influence of Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Process on Implementation of Community Based Water Projects in Kenya: a Case of Kaichakun Spring Protection Laikipia West Sub-county, Laikipia County

Abstract

Water is the second most fundamental ware for life after air, it's a nurturing force and in that capacity, its shortage demands our complete consideration. In Laikipia West, Laichakun West Sub-County, this study is aimed at examining the effect of the participatory monitoring and assessment method on water implementation. The purpose of this study was to establish the impact of participatory water project planning in Laikipia West Sub-County on community-based water projects; to establish how the participatory decision-making process in M&E affects the implementation of community-based water projects in Laikipia West Sub-County. Descriptive transversal survey design and research design for correlation were employed in this study. For this study, the aim was to have 158 registered members and 24 monitoring and evaluation members of the Kaichakun Spring Protection Water project. The samples were collected via systemic random sampling for the research and the monitoring staff of 123 heads of households from the target population. The data were obtained using surveys and phone interviews as the principal tools for studying the data. In order to create frequency distributions, percentages, median and standard deviation, the data was analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Social Sciences Package 25) to help the scientist respond to the study questions. The data were submitted in tabular form. Descriptive data show a medium and standard 3.96 and 1.08 deviation respectively in participatory project planning for M&E. Further descriptive statistics portrayed that participatory stakeholder identification for M&E indicated an influence on implementation of community-based water projects (M=3.82, SD=1.14), participatory decision-making for M&E with7 a7mean7and7standard7 deviation7of (M=3.91, SD=1.10) on implementation of community-based water projects and budgetary allocation for M&E against the dependent variable implementation of community-based water projects with a7 mean7and7standard7deviation7of 3.89 and71.14 respectively. The7study7therefore concluded the predictor variables participatory project planning for M&E, participatory decision-making for M&E, participatory stakeholder involvement for M&E and budgetary allocation for M&E had an influence on implementation of community-based water projects. The engagement of the local community at all levels of Community-based water projects is vital to ensure that community-based water projects are implemented. Further the researcher recommended that the government and other stakeholders should seek for community engagement to ensure the continuity7 of7 the7 project7 in7 the7 long7run.